What grows in Gweru
Midlands, Zimbabwe
The 2026/27 season in Gweru
| Rainy seasons | One each year — one chance to plant, so timing carries it |
|---|---|
| When the rains are expected | November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Rain in a typical year | About 682 mm |
| This season's rain | Leaning dry — January, February, November and December look short of rain. Plant at the early end of the window, favour quicker and more drought-tolerant crops, and keep moisture in the soil: mulch, and weed early. |
| This season's heat | Hotter than usual — about +1.9 °C over the growing months. Heat makes the same rain do less, so a dry spell bites sooner: do not plant late, and shade or mulch what you can. |
| What that supports | enough rain for one short crop, and only if timed to it, warm all year, so nothing but rain ends the season |
| Ground this covers | One kind of ground throughout. |
last updated 17 September 2026
What grows in Gweru
-
Finger milletFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.7–3.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
FonioFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.3–1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MangoFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 17.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 25.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
Pearl milletFavourablePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SoybeanFavourablePlant 23 Oct 2026 – 2 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
2.5–2.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Bambara groundnutFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.8–2.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
CowpeaFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 23 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
1.7–1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Green gramFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 18 Sep 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 2.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LablabFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
MaizeFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 5.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 9.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
SorghumFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
3.8–4.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 5.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SunflowerFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Sweet potatoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 21.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TobaccoFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 3.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WatermelonFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 35.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Common beanFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 3.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Irish potatoFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 30.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Jute mallowFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 2 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OkraFavourablePlant 13 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 · about 15.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
PumpkinFavourablePlant 11 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African nightshadeFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CarrotFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 31.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 50.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CucumberFavourablePlant 21 Nov 2026 – 20 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 23.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
OnionFavourable
Plant 16 Nov 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 25.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 41.7 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Spider plantFavourablePlant 16 Nov 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 opens in 7 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 9.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 · about 13.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Niger seedFavourablePlant 16 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 11 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 1 Jan 2027 – 29 Aug 2027
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
BeetrootFavourablePlant 19 Jan 2027 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 16 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
SesameFavourablePlant 21 Oct 2026 – 10 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
African eggplantFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 10 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
AmaranthFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 20 Jul 2026 – 21 Jan 2027 · about 27.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
GuavaFavourablePlant 27 Oct 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 15.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 35.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
PapayaFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 32.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 · about 63.0 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
TomatoFavourablePlant 3 Nov 2026 – 13 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 28.5 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 30 Jun 2026 – 21 May 2027 · about 64.8 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Passion fruitFavourablePlant 10 Nov 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 opens in 6 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 13.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 15.6 t/ha
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
LettuceFavourablePlant 30 Nov 2026 – 8 Feb 2027 opens in 9 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.0 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 2 Mar 2027 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 32.4 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
WheatFavourablePlant 12 Dec 2026 – 22 Dec 2026 opens in 10 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 10 Feb 2027 – 20 Jul 2027 · about 6.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
ChilliFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.7 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · about 23.2 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
RoselleFavourablePlant 21 Oct 2026 – 10 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.9 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 · about 1.5 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Sweet pepperFavourablePlant 31 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 27 Dec 2026 – 9 Aug 2027 · about 37.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
EggplantFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.2 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
KaleFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.4 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
Swiss chardFavourablePlant 1 Nov 2026 – 1 Dec 2026 opens in 4 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.1 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 46.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
GroundnutFavourablePlant 22 Oct 2026 – 11 Nov 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 · about 3.1 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
Egusi melonFavourablePlant 2 Nov 2026 – 12 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 0.6 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 29 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
MoringaFavourablePlant 6 Nov 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 opens in 5 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 10.3 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · about 28.9 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimum -
RiceModeratePlant 24 Oct 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 opens in 3 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.8 t/ha expected
Irrigated: plant 9 Aug 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · about 4.3 t/ha
Pest/disease risk — manageableNot enough water in seasonEarly-maturing — escapes late drought
Rain-fed. These dates are worked out from each place's own rainfall, for a field watered by the season — with irrigation a window can open earlier, close later, or come round more than once a year. Check your own field under What grows, or get the Divisi app for a calendar dated to your farm.
What grows in Gweru with irrigation
These need water applied — rain alone will not carry them here. The dates are the windows their own water supply allows.
-
AvocadoFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 20.0 t/ha expected
-
GrapefruitFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
LemonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2026 – 10 Feb 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
-
Sweet orangeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 37.1 t/ha expected
-
TeffFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 2 Mar 2027 – 22 Mar 2027 opens in 22 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.5 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableSoil pH below the crop's optimumEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
ChickpeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 30 Jun 2027 – 9 Jul 2027 opens in 39 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.0 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
CabbageFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 11 Apr 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 27 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 64.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableEarly-maturing — escapes late drought -
TurmericFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 20 Jul 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 27.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
CottonFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 3.7 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
LimeFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 30 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.5 t/ha expected
-
YamFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 9 Aug 2026 – 18 Sep 2026 closed for this season
matched to this season's forecast
about 22.4 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk -
MandarinFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 26.2 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
EnsetFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 18.8 t/ha expected
Pest/disease risk — manageable -
GarlicFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 16.7 t/ha expected
Soil pH below the crop's optimumLate-maturing — drought risk -
GingerFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 21 Jan 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 19.8 t/ha expected
Frost riskLate-maturing — drought risk -
BananaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 22 Mar 2027 – 10 Jun 2027 opens in 25 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 36.7 t/ha expected
Frost risk -
TeaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 10 Feb 2027 – 29 Aug 2027 opens in 19 weeks
matched to this season's forecast
about 2.8 t/ha expected
Frost riskSoil pH outside the crop's rangeCorrect soil pH (acidifier) -
Pigeon peaFavourable Needs irrigationPlant 29 Aug 2026 – 8 Oct 2026 open now
matched to this season's forecast
about 1.1 t/ha expected
Frost riskPest/disease risk — manageableLate-maturing — drought risk
What Divisi would not plant in Gweru
Every crop in the catalogue is scored against this district, not only the ones that work — so the list above is a decision rather than a shortlist. These are the rest, with what ruled each one out.
- Lemon Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Teff Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Sweet orange Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Lime Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Mandarin Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Pigeon pea Only in patches — clears in part of this area, not across any one zone
- Grapefruit Moderate — Water
- Avocado Moderate — Water
- Pineapple Moderate — Frost & pests
- Sugarcane Moderate — Water
- Banana Unsuitable — Water
- Cabbage Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cashew Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cassava Unsuitable — Temperature
- Chickpea Unsuitable — Temperature
- Cocoa Unsuitable
- Coconut Unsuitable
- Taro Unsuitable
- Arabica coffee Unsuitable — Water
- Robusta coffee Unsuitable
- Cotton Unsuitable — Temperature
- Enset Unsuitable — Water
- Garlic Unsuitable — Temperature
- Ginger Unsuitable — Water
- Oil palm Unsuitable
- Tea Unsuitable — Water
- Turmeric Unsuitable — Water
- Yam Unsuitable — Temperature
Divisi scored 74 crops against this district's own ground; 28 came back without a sowing date.
Plan the season, not just check it
The crops and dates above are read at cells spread across Gweru, and the map colours which kind of ground each part of it is. Your own soil, slope and rainfall will shift the dates — the Divisi app works them out for your field, and dates each job that follows.
Or check your field firstThis calendar moves
Planting windows shift with the forecast. Leave your email and we'll send what changed, and a note when planting time nears — a couple of emails a month at most.
Where to sell it nearby
-
Mtapa Open Market
37 km · Tomato, Cabbage, Maize, Onion
-
Kudzanai Market
40 km · Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Groundnut
-
GMB Gweru Depot
40 km · Maize, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Finger millet
Support and extension
- Command Agriculture
- Pfumvudza/Intwasa
- AGRITEX
- Department of Research and Specialist Services
- Seed Services Institute
Frequently asked questions
What crops grow well in Gweru?
Finger millet, Fonio, Mango, Pearl millet, Soybean all rate well in Gweru — scored against its own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average.
When should I plant Finger millet in Gweru?
In Gweru the window for Finger millet runs 22 Oct 2026 to 21 Nov 2026.
Is there a farming app that works in Gweru?
Divisi does. It reads Gweru's own rainfall, soil and terrain rather than a national average, so the planting dates and crop shortlist on this page are the same ones the app works out for a field here — then dates each job for that field, and keeps working with no signal.
Is this exact for my own field?
No — these are readings taken across Gweru, not on your field. Soil, slope and rainfall change from one farm to the next. Check your own location to see your own numbers.